Published on October 17, 2009 by davidguide
Too many bed & breakfast locations fail even though the
owner’s have worked hard to make it a beautiful place to
stay. Even though they are popular places for people to stay
in, some of them just don’t have what customers are really
looking for. If you own a bed & breakfast or you are
thinking of investing in one you really need to pay close
attention to this information. It can make a significant
difference for the course of your home based business.
Make sure everyone of your guests feels welcome from the
second they talk to you. Many people call to make a reservation instead of doing it online so that
they can talk to a real person. If they don’t feel like they
are important during that phone conversation then they are
likely not going to proceed with booking it. They want their
experience at a bed & breakfast to be personal and
enjoyable. They aren’t going to spend their money in it if
they don’t think they are going to get it. (more…)
Published on October 16, 2008 by davidguide
Earning gratuities is common in many types of businesses. The one that generally comes to mind is the food and drink industry. It is customary to leave tips for those that offer you such service. In the minds of many though it is something they earn and not something they are simply entitled to. With so many people sharing that same philosophy it is important to understand some of the tips for earning gratuities. If you depend on them for a living them it is even more important.
Take the time to learn all there is about your job. Even if you have experience you will find each business operates somewhat differently. Learn what the specials are, appetizers, and even the types of drinks that are available. Be able to answer questions about healthy entrees and portion sizes as well. When customers have special requests you should already know if it is something you can accommodate or not.
You will find that each of your guests has different needs, so be ready for them. For example at some tables extra napkins will be necessary. (more…)
Published on October 16, 2008 by davidguide
Before you open the doors to your bed & breakfast, you need to make sure you have all the bases covered. Those unexpected issues that come up can cost you money and even ruin your business before it has successfully gotten off the ground. Learn from the issues that other people have had with their bed & breakfast so you can avoid them. Pay close attention to the location of your business because people will be concerned with it. You need it to be easy to access and close to other attractions. If yours is in a small town you may want to offer to provide transportation from the bus or train station. You will be surprised how many towns don’t have taxi cabs
Even if you have a small budget you need to find effective ways to advertise your bed & breakfast. Make sure you do it both locally and globally as you never know where your guests will be coming from. There are plenty of different community events where they ask for sponsors so make sure you get your location mentioned in them. Don’t forget to advertise it on the internet as well. Most people use this as a resource for accommodations and you want to make sure they come across your information. Invest in a quality website that offers terrific pictures of the inside and outside of the bed & breakfast. Make sure you include information on activities and attractions in the area as well. (more…)
Published on October 16, 2008 by davidguide
You want your bed & breakfast to be a prosperous business for you. This is going to take some effort on your part to offer guests everything they are looking for. Many of them will decide to stay with you or not based on the look of your bed & breakfast. You have to be ready to give them a good impression so they will make that reservation.
You want your bed & breakfast to appear to be warm and inviting. If people aren’t happy with what they initially see, it can discourage them from making the reservation. The outside of your bed & breakfast is the first thing they are going to see. Choose warm colors that compliment each other. If the paint is worn or it is peeling you need to take the time to have it redone.
You may discover that you need to make some significant updates to the look landscaping of your bed & breakfast business. (more…)
